GenAI usage is exploding across teams and tools, but most enterprises are still missing the controls to secure it. Security isn’t failing because there is a lack of policies. It’s failing because organizations aren’t using the right type of security controls to defend GenAI’s adaptive nature, which requires real time protection across distributed systems, often beyond IT’s line of sight.
The GenAI Policy Handbook 2025 calls this out—and offers a framework for fixing it. At its core is one big idea: policies must be enforceable at the point of AI interaction.
The Security Blind Spot: Runtime
In most organizations, security has traditionally been built around access control, perimeter firewalls, and data loss prevention. But GenAI introduces a fundamentally different surface: runtime.
It’s at this layer—where users interact with models, where data is ingested and returned, where outputs shape business outcomes—that the real risk lies, including:
- Prompt injections that bypass filters
- Hallucinated outputs that mislead decision-making
- Sensitive data leaking through model responses
- Autonomous agent actions that spiral without oversight
To put it simply: runtime is where security needs to happen, yet few enterprises are equipped to defend it.
From Paper Policy to Runtime Protection
Many enterprises have started drafting acceptable-use policies. Some have developed playbooks or advisory guidelines. But policy without enforcement is just suggestion.
To close the gap between governance and real-world protection, organizations must adopt adaptive security controls at runtime that can:
- Block harmful prompts and responses in real-time
- Enforce role-based model access
- Detect anomalies and threat patterns as they emerge
- Dial security settings that are based on use case and risk tolerance
By having a defensive solution that meets these demands, you can evolve your security posture alongside your models and use cases.
One AI Security Platform: A Must for Full Lifecycle Protection
Security at runtime is critical, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. True generative and agentic AI security demands an integrated approach that spans visibility, defense, offensive testing, and policy alignment.
That’s why enterprises are turning to F5’s comprehensive AI runtime security solutions:
- F5 AI Red Team: Agentic adversarial testing to uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do
- F5 AI Guardrails: Real-time protection at the point of interaction
- Built-in Observability: Role-based visibility into AI usage, risk, and compliance
Together, these capabilities form a Runtime Perimeter that’s purpose-built for the most dynamic surface in cybersecurity.
Guidance for Runtime Security
The GenAI Policy Handbook 2025 offers practical guidance for enterprise leaders on how to build policies that live at runtime, defend at inference, and adapt as models change.
Download the handbook now and learn:
- Why traditional controls fail against GenAI threats
- What security leaders can do today to prepare for agentic AI
- How to build a layered defense that scales with innovation
Your AI journey is just beginning. Make sure it’s secure from the start.
About the Author
Related Blog Posts
The hidden cost of unmanaged AI infrastructure
AI platforms don’t lose value because of models. They lose value because of instability. See how intelligent traffic management improves token throughput while protecting expensive GPU infrastructure.
AI security through the analyst lens: insights from Gartner®, Forrester, and KuppingerCole
Enterprises are discovering that securing AI requires purpose-built solutions.
F5 secures today’s modern and AI applications
The F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) combines security with flexibility to deliver and protect any app and API and now any AI model or agent anywhere. F5 ADSP provides robust WAAP protection to defend against application-level threats, while F5 AI Guardrails secures AI interactions by enforcing controls against model and agent specific risks.
Govern your AI present and anticipate your AI future
Learn from our field CISO, Chuck Herrin, how to prepare for the new challenge of securing AI models and agents.
New 7.0 release of F5 Distributed Cloud Services accelerates F5 ADSP adoption
Our recent 7.0 release is both a major step and strategic milestone in our journey to deliver the connectivity, security, and observability fabric that our customers need.
F5 provides enhanced protections against React vulnerabilities
Developers and organizations using React in their applications should immediately evaluate their systems as exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to compromise of affected systems.